Therapeutic compositions comprising imidazole and imidazolium compounds

ABSTRACT

Therapeutic compositions comprising substituted imidazole or imidazolium compounds may be used for a number of medical purposes, such as treatment of undesirable conditions or diseases, including disease or conditions related to bone, cancer, and/or pain.

FIELD

Some embodiments relate to therapeutic compositions comprisingsubstituted imidazoles and imidazoliums having multiple acidic groups.

SUMMARY

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising:

wherein each A is independently an acidic functional group, may be usedfor a number of medical purposes, such as treatment of undesirableconditions or diseases, including disease or conditions related to bone,cancer, and/or pain. In some embodiments, each A is CO₂H, SO₃H, OSO₂, orPO₃H₂.

Some embodiments include a dosage form, such as an oral dosage form,comprising a composition described herein.

Some embodiments include a method of treating a disease or conditionrelated to bone, cancer, or pain, comprising administering a dosageform, such as an oral dosage form, comprising a composition describedherein to a mammal in need thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Preferably, pharmaceutical compositions comprising zoledronic acid,Compound 1, and/or Compound 2 (subject compositions), may be used for anumber of medical purposes, such as treatment of undesirable conditionsor diseases, including disease or conditions related to bone, cancer,and/or pain. This may be accomplished in many instances byadministration of dosage forms, such as oral dosage forms, comprising asubject composition. Generally, an oral dosage form comprising a subjectcomposition is administered orally to a mammal, such as a human being,at least once, to treat a disease or condition, such as disease orcondition related to bone, cancer, or pain.

The term “treating” or “treatment” broadly includes any kind oftreatment activity, including the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, orprevention of disease in man or other animals, or any activity thatotherwise affects the structure or any function of the body of man orother animals.

An oral dosage form comprising a subject composition may be used totreat, or provide relief of, any type of pain including, but not limitedto, inflammatory pain, arthritis pain, complex regional pain syndrome,lumbosacral pain, musculoskeletal pain, neuropathic pain, chronic pain,cancer-related pain, acute pain, postoperative pain, etc. In someinstances, pain relief may be palliative, or pain relief may be providedindependent of improvement of the disease or condition or the underlyingcause of the disease or condition. For example, although the underlyingdisease may not improve, or may continue to progress, an individualsuffering from the disease may experience pain relief. In someembodiments, enhanced bioavailability of the zoledronic acid may beachieved in treating one of these conditions by administering a dosageform comprising a subject composition wherein zoledronic acid is in theform of a disodium salt. This may allow a reduced molar amount of thedisodium salt to be used as compared to what would be used with thediacid form.

In some embodiments, the mammal being treated is not suffering from bonemetastasis. In some embodiments, the mammal being treated is notsuffering from cancer. In some embodiments, the mammal being treated isnot suffering from osteoporosis.

For example, a subject composition may be administered orally to relievemusculoskeletal pain including low back pain, and pain associated withrheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis,erosive osteoarthritis, sero-negative (non-rheumatoid) arthropathies,non-articular rheumatism, peri-articular disorders, axialspondyloarthritis including ankylosing spondylitis, Paget's disease,fibrous dysplasia, SAPHO syndrome, transient osteoarthritis of the hip,vertebral crush fractures, osteoporosis, etc. In some embodiments,enhanced bioavailability of the zoledronic acid may be achieved intreating one of these conditions by administering a dosage formcomprising a subject composition, wherein the zoledronic acid is in theform of a disodium salt. This may allow a reduced molar amount of thedisodium salt of zoledronic acid to be used as compared to what would beused with the diacid form.

In some embodiments, a subject composition may also be administeredorally to relieve neuropathic pain, including diabetic peripheralneuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia,monoradiculopathies, phantom limb pain, and central pain. Other causesof neuropathic pain include cancer-related pain, lumbar nerve rootcompression, spinal cord injury, post-stroke pain, central multiplesclerosis pain, HIV-associated neuropathy, and radio-therapy orchemo-therapy associated neuropathy. In some embodiments, enhancedbioavailability of the zoledronic acid may be achieved in treating oneof these conditions by administering a dosage form comprising a subjectcomposition, wherein the zoledronic acid is in the form of a disodiumsalt. This may allow a reduced molar amount of the disodium salt ofzoledronic acid to be used as compared to what would be used with thediacid form.

In some embodiments, a subject composition may be administered orally torelieve inflammatory pain including musculoskeletal pain, arthritispain, and complex regional pain syndrome. In some embodiments, enhancedbioavailability of the zoledronic acid may be achieved in treating oneof these conditions by administering a dosage form comprising a subjectcomposition in the form of a disodium salt. This may allow a reducedmolar amount of the disodium salt to be used as compared to what wouldbe used with the diacid form.

Examples of musculoskeletal pain include low back pain, pain associatedwith vertebral crush fractures, fibrous dysplasia, osteogenesisimperfecta, Paget's disease of bone, transient osteoporosis, andtransient osteoporosis of the hip.

Arthritis refers to inflammatory joint diseases that can be associatedwith pain. Examples of arthritis pain include pain associated withosteoarthritis, erosive osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenilerheumatoid arthritis, sero-negative (non-rheumatoid) arthropathies,non-articular rheumatism, peri-articular disorders, neuropathicarthropaties including Charcot's foot, axial spondyloarthritis includingankylosing spondylitis, and SAPHO syndrome.

In some embodiments, a human being that is treated for an inflammatorycondition such as arthritis by a subject composition has an age of about10 years to about 90 years, about 20 years to about 80 years, about 30years to about 75 years old, about 40 years to about 70 years, about 1year to about 16 years, or about 80 years to about 95 years.

In some embodiments, a human being that is treated for an inflammatorycondition such as arthritis by an oral dosage form of a subjectcomposition has suffered from the arthritis for at least 1 month, atleast 2 months, at least 6 months, or at least 1 year.

In some embodiments, the an inflammatory condition such as arthritisaffects, a knee, an elbow, a wrist, a shoulder, or a hip.

In some embodiments, a subject composition may be administered orally torelieve complex regional pain syndrome, such as complex regional painsyndrome type I (CRPS-I), complex regional pain syndrome type II(CRPS-II), CRPS-NOS, or another type of CRPS. CRPS is a type ofinflammatory pain. CRPS can also have a neuropathic component.

Complex regional pain syndrome is a debilitating pain syndrome. It ischaracterized by severe pain in a limb accompanied by edema, andautonomic, motor and sensory changes.

With respect to use of a subject composition for relieving painassociated with an inflammatory condition, relief of pain can beshort-term, e.g. for a period of hours after administration of thedosage form, and/or relief of pain can be long-term, e.g. lasting fordays, weeks, or even months after oral administration of a subjectcomposition. In some embodiments, a mammal, such as a human being,experiences significant pain relief at least about 3 hours, at leastabout 6 hours, at least about 12 hours, at least about 24 hours, atleast about 48 hours, at least about one week, at least about 2 weeks,or at least about 3 weeks after administration of an oral dosage formcomprising a subject composition. In some embodiments, a mammal, such asa human being, experiences significant pain relief during at least partof the time from about 3 hours to about 2 weeks, about 3 hours to about3 weeks, about 3 hours to about 24 hours, about 6 hours to about 2weeks, or about 6 hours to about 24 hours, about 3 days to about 2weeks, about 6 days to about 2 weeks, after administration of an oraldosage form comprising a subject composition.

With respect to the treatment of any condition recited herein, in someembodiments a first oral dosage form comprising a subject composition isadministered and a second oral dosage form comprising a subjectcomposition is administered. The timing of the administration of the twodosage forms may be such that, with respect to the first oral dosageform, the second oral dosage with respect to the first oral dosage form,the second oral dosage form is administered at 5×T_(max) or greater(e.g., if T_(max) is 1 hour, at 5 hours or later), at least 10×T_(max)or greater, at least about 15×T_(max) or greater, at least about20×T_(max) or greater, at least about 50×T_(max) or greater, or at leastabout 200×T_(max) or greater, wherein T_(max) is the time of maximumplasma concentration of zoledronic acid after administration the firstoral dosage form.

Some embodiments include treatment of a condition recited herein, suchas inflammatory pain, arthritis, or complex regional pain syndrome,wherein the treatment comprises either: administering only one dosageform to a mammal to treat the condition, or administering a first dosageform to the mammal, followed by administering a second dosage form tothe mammal. If two or more dosage forms are administered, in someembodiments, the second oral dosage form is administered before themaximum pain relieving effect of the first oral dosage form is achieved,or before a peak in the pain relieving effect of the first oral dosageform is experienced, by a mammal receiving the dosage form. In someembodiments, the second oral dosage form is administered before anobservable pain relieving effect is achieved. In some embodiments, thesecond dosage form is administered about 12 hours to about 60 days,about 24 hours to about 28 days, about 24 hours to about 7 days, about24 hours to about 14 days, or about 24 hours to about 21 days, after thefirst dosage form is administered.

Some embodiments include treatment of a condition recited herein, suchas inflammatory pain, arthritis, or complex regional pain syndrome,wherein the treatment comprises administering a first dosage form to themammal, followed by administering a second dosage form to the mammal,wherein the second dosage form is administered after the maximum painrelieving effect of the first oral dosage form is achieved, and thesecond oral dosage form is administered while the mammal is stillexperiencing pain relief from the first oral dosage form, or while thepain relieving effect from the first oral dosage form is observable. Insome embodiments, the second dosage form is administered about 12 hoursto about 60 days, about 24 hours to about 28 days, about 24 hours toabout 7 days, about 24 hours to about 14 days, or about 24 hours toabout 21 days, after the first dosage form is administered.

A subject composition may also be administered orally to relievecancer-related pain, including pain associated with multiple myeloma andbone metastases from solid tumors. In some embodiments, a subjectcomposition is used to treat pain that is not cancer-related pain. Forexample, a subject composition may be used to treat pain that is notassociated with multiple myeloma, bone metastasis from solid tumors,hypercalcemia of malignancy, giant cell tumor of bone, blood cancers orleukemias, or solid tumors or cancers. In some embodiments, enhancedbioavailability of the zoledronic acid may be achieved in treating oneof these conditions by administering a subject composition. This mayallow a reduced molar amount of the disodium salt to be used as comparedto what would be used with the diacid form.

In addition to relieving pain, oral administration of a subjectcomposition may also be useful to treat diseases or conditions that mayor may not include a pain component. For example, a subject compositionmay be useful to treat any of the pain conditions or types of conditionslisted above, including treatment that does not simply relieve the painof those conditions, and treatment that is carried out in such a waythat the condition is treated without pain relief occurring. In additionto any pain relief a subject composition may or may not provide, asubject composition may be used to treat a disease or condition such asa metabolic disease or condition; an inflammatory disease or condition,including an inflammatory disease or condition that is not associatedwith pain; a cancer disease or condition; a neurological disease orcondition; etc. In some embodiments, enhanced bioavailability of thezoledronic acid may be achieved in treating one of these conditions byadministering a dosage form comprising a subject composition. This mayallow a reduced molar amount of the disodium salt to be used as comparedto what would be used with the diacid form.

In some embodiments, oral administration of a subject composition mayalso be useful to treat complex regional pain syndrome, rheumatoidarthritis, osteoarthritis, erosive osteoarthritis, axialspondyloarthritis including ankylosing spondylitis, acute vertebralcrush fracture, fibrous dysplasia, SAPHO syndrome, osteoporosis,transient osteoporosis, or transient osteoporosis of the hip. In someembodiments, enhanced bioavailability of the zoledronic acid may beachieved in treating one of these conditions by administering a dosageform comprising a subject composition, wherein the zoledronic acid is ina disodium salt form. This may allow a reduced molar amount of thedisodium salt to be used as compared to what would be used with thediacid form.

In some embodiments, oral administration of a subject composition mayalso be useful to treat hypercalcemia of malignancy, multiple myeloma,bone metastases from solid tumors, Paget's disease of bone, giant celltumor of bone, blood cancers or leukemias, or solid tumors or cancers.In some embodiments, enhanced bioavailability of the zoledronic acid maybe achieved in treating one of these conditions by administering adosage form comprising a subject composition, wherein the zoledronicacid is in the form of a disodium salt. This may allow a reduced molaramount of the disodium salt to be used as compared to what would be usedwith the diacid form.

Zoledronic acid has the structure shown below, and is also referred toas zoledronate.

Unless otherwise indicated, any reference to a compound herein, such asa subject composition, zoledronic acid, Compound 1 or Compound 2, bystructure, name, or any other means, includes pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts, such as the disodium salt; alternate solid forms, suchas polymorphs, solvates, hydrates, etc.; tautomers; or any otherchemical species that may rapidly convert to a compound described hereinunder conditions in which the compounds are used as described herein.

In some embodiments, zoledronic acid is in a composition or dosage formcomprising a salt form, such as a salt of a dianion of zoledronic acid.In some embodiments, zoledronic acid is administered in a dosage formcomprising a disodium salt form of zoledronic acid. In some embodiments,zoledronic acid is administered as a subject composition. In someembodiments, zoledronic acid is administered in a sodium salt form, suchas a monosodium salt, a disodium salt, a trisodium salt, etc. In somecircumstances, use of the disodium salt may be desirable. For example,the disodium salt is much more soluble in water than the diacid form. Asa result, in some processes, the disodium salt can be easier to workwith than the diacid form. Additionally, the sodium salt may be morebioavailable and/or more rapidly absorbed when taken orally as comparedto the diacid form.

Examples of salts of Compound 1 are shown below:

wherein X⁻ is any suitable anion, e.g. F⁻, Br⁻, Cl⁻, I⁻, acetate, etc.;and M⁺ is any suitable cation, e.g. Na⁺, K⁺, NH₄ ⁺, etc.

In some embodiments, Compound 1 is administered in a dosage formcomprising a salt form, such as a salt of a dianion of Compound 1. Insome embodiments, Compound 1 is administered in a dosage form comprisinga disodium salt form of Compound 1. In some embodiments, Compound 1 isadministered in a sodium salt form, such as a monosodium salt, adisodium salt, a trisodium salt, etc. In some circumstances, use of thedisodium salt may be desirable.

Compound 1 can be present in any amount, such as less than about 100%w/w, less than about 50% w/w, less than about 20% w/w, less than about10% w/w, less than about 1% w/w, less than 0.1% w/w, less than about0.07% w/w, less than about 0.05% w/w, less than about 0.04% w/w, lessthan about 0.03% w/w, less than about 0.02% w/w; and/or greater than 0%w/w, at least about 0.00000001% w/w, at least about 0.000001% w/w, or atleast about 0.00001% w/w, based upon the total amount of zoledronicacid, Compound 1, and Compound 2 present in the composition.

Examples of salts of Compound 2 are shown below:

wherein X⁻ is any suitable anion, e.g. F⁻, Br⁻, Cl⁻, I⁻, acetate, etc.;and M⁺ is any suitable cation, e.g. Na⁺, K⁺, NH₄ ⁺, etc.

In some embodiments, Compound 2 is administered in a dosage formcomprising a salt form, such as a salt of a dianion of Compound 2. Insome embodiments, Compound 2 is administered in a dosage form comprisinga disodium salt form of Compound 2. In some embodiments, Compound 2 isadministered in a sodium salt form, such as a monosodium salt, adisodium salt, a trisodium salt, etc. In some circumstances, use of thedisodium salt may be desirable.

Compound 2 can be present in any amount, such as less than about 100%w/w, less than about 50% w/w, less than about 20% w/w, less than about10% w/w, less than about 1% w/w, less than about 0.3%, less than about0.2%, less than 0.1% w/w, less than about 0.08% w/w, less than about0.07% w/w, less than about 0.05% w/w, less than about 0.04% w/w, lessthan about 0.03% w/w, less than about 0.02% w/w; and/or greater than 0%w/w, at least about 0.00000001% w/w, at least about 0.000001% w/w, or atleast about 0.00001% w/w, based upon the total amount of zoledronicacid, Compound 1, and Compound 2 present in the composition.

In some embodiments, Compound 1 and Compound 2 are present in an amountthat is less than 0.1% w/w,

The oral bioavailability of zoledronic acid in a subject composition maybe enhanced by orally administering the zoledronic acid in the disodiumsalt form. For example, the bioavailability of zoledronic acid may beimproved by at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%,at least about 50%, and/or up to about 100%, or up to about 200%, ascompared to administration of zoledronic acid in the diacid form.

Because of the improved bioavailability of the disodium salt a dosageform may contain, or a mammal, such as a human being, may receive, on amolar basis, less of the disodium salt form of zoledronic acid thanwould otherwise be administered of the diacid form of zoledronic acid.For example, a dosage form may contain, or a mammal may receive, atleast about 10 mole % less, at least about 20 mole % less, at leastabout 40 mole % less, at least about 50 mole % less, and/or up to about90 mole % less or 95 mole % less, of the disodium salt form as comparedto the amount of the diacid form of zoledronic acid that would otherwisebe administered, such as a molar amount that would be administered ofzoledronic acid in the diacid form in order to achieve the same plasmalevels of zoledronic acid.

In some embodiments, a dosage form contains, or a mammal (such as ahuman being) is administered, an amount of the disodium salt form ofzoledronic acid, on a molar basis, that has a value of about 0.8n_(d) toabout 1.2n_(d) or about 0.9n_(d) to about 1.1n_(d), wherein:n _(d)=(b _(a) /b _(d))(n _(a))wherein b_(a) is the bioavailability of the diacid form, b_(d) is thebioavailability of the disodium salt form, and n_(a) is the number ofmoles of the diacid that would be administered in a dosage formcontaining the diacid form of zoledronic acid. For example, if thediacid form has a bioavailability (b_(a)) of 0.01 and the disodium saltform has a bioavailability (b_(d)) of 0.015, and a dosage form wouldnormally contain 0.001 moles of the diacid, n_(d) would be(0.01/0.015)(0.001 moles), or about 0.00067 moles. In some embodiments,the disodium salt is administered in an amount that has a value of aboutn_(d).

With respect to oral dosage forms comprising a reduced molar amount ofthe disodium salt of zoledronic acid as compared to the diacid form ofzoledronic acid, in some embodiments, the bioavailability of thezoledronic acid in the disodium salt form is sufficiently high that, ifthe drug is administered to a mammal, at least as much zoledronic acidis present in the blood of the mammal as would be present if zoledronicacid were administered in the diacid form.

With respect to oral dosage forms comprising the disodium salt form ofzoledronic acid, in some embodiments, the disodium salt form is presentin a lower molar amount than would be present if the zoledronic acidwere in the diacid form; and the zoledronic acid in the disodium saltform has an improved bioavailability as compared to the zoledronic acidin the diacid form to the extent that the lower molar amount of thedisodium salt in the dosage form does not reduce the amount ofzoledronic acid delivered to the plasma of a mammal.

In some embodiments, the zoledronic acid in the disodium salt form ispresent in an amount such that the oral dosage form provides an areaunder the plasma concentration curve of zoledronic acid of about 4ng·h/mL to about 2000 ng·h/mL to the mammal each time the zoledronicacid in the disodium salt is administered.

In some embodiments, the zoledronic acid in the disodium salt form ispresent in an amount such that the oral dosage form provides an areaunder the plasma concentration curve of zoledronic acid of about 100ng·h/mL to about 2000 ng·h/mL, about 100 ng·h/mL to about 1000 ng·h/mL,about 500 ng·h/mL to about 1000 ng·h/mL, or about 500 ng·h/mL to about700 ng·h/mL in the mammal to which the dosage form is administered. Thisamount may be suitable for administration of the oral dosage form aboutevery 3 to 4 weeks.

In some embodiments, the zoledronic acid in the disodium salt form ispresent in an amount such that the oral dosage form provides an areaunder the plasma concentration curve of zoledronic acid of about 20ng·h/mL to about 700 ng·h/mL, about 50 ng·h/mL to about 500 ng·h/mL, orabout 100 ng·h/mL to about 200 ng·h/mL, in the mammal to which thedosage form is administered. This amount may be suitable for weeklyadministration of the oral dosage, or for administration of 3 to 5individual dosages during a month. The individual dosages could be givenat regular intervals, given during the first week, or at any otherschedule that provides 3 to 5 dosages during the month.

In some embodiments, the zoledronic acid in the disodium salt form ispresent in an amount such that the oral dosage form provides an areaunder the plasma concentration curve of zoledronic acid of about 4ng·h/mL to about 100 ng·h/mL, about 10 ng·h/mL to about 50 ng·h/mL, orabout 10 ng·h/mL to about 30 ng·h/mL, in the mammal to which the dosageform is administered. This amount may be suitable for dailyadministration of the oral dosage form.

Oral administration of a subject composition, particularly oraladministration of a subject composition comprising the disodium saltform of zoledronic acid, can result in more sustained plasma levels ofthe drug as compared to parenteral modes of administration, suchintravenous or subcutaneous. For example, the amount of zoledronic acidin the plasma can be significantly higher for oral administration of thedisodium salt about 12 hours, about 24 hours, about 36 hours, about 48hours, or about 72 hours, or longer, after administration.

In some embodiments, zoledronic acid in an orally administered subjectcomposition has a 12 hour sustained plasma factor of about 5 or higheror about 10 or higher, such as about 10 to about 100, about 20 to about50, or about 30 to about 40.

In some embodiments, zoledronic acid in an orally administered subjectcomposition has a 24 hour sustained plasma factor of about 3 or higheror about 5 or higher, such as about 5 to about 50, about 10 to about 20,or about 12 to about 15.

In some embodiments, zoledronic acid in an orally administered subjectcomposition has a 36 hour sustained plasma factor of about 3 or higheror about 5 or higher, such as about 5 to about 30, about 5 to about 15,or about 9 to about 13.

In some embodiments, zoledronic acid in an orally administered subjectcomposition has a 48 hour sustained plasma factor of about 3 or higheror about 5 or higher, such as about 5 to about 30, about 5 to about 15,or about 8 to about 12.

In some embodiments, zoledronic acid in an orally administered subjectcomposition has a 72 hour sustained plasma factor of about 3 or higheror about 5 or higher, such as about 5 to about 30, about 5 to about 15,or about 8 to about 12.

In some embodiments, zoledronic acid in an orally administered subjectcomposition has a 24 hour sustained plasma level factor of about 1 orhigher, such as about 1 to about 10, about 1 to about 5, about 3 toabout 5, or about 3 to about 4. In some embodiments, a zoledronic acidin an orally administered subject composition has a 12 hour sustainedplasma level factor, a 24 hour sustained plasma level factor, 36 hoursustained plasma level factor, a 48 hour sustained plasma level factor,or a 72 hour sustained plasma level factor that is higher, such as atleast 1.2 times, at least about 2 times, at least about 5 times, about1.2 times to about 20 times, about 2 times to about 15 times, about 5times to about 10 times, or about 8 to about 15 times that ofintravenously administered zoledronic acid. A “sustained plasma levelfactor,” p_(f), is determined by the equation:p _(f)=1000(C _(t) /C _(max))wherein C_(max) is the maximum plasma concentration of zoledronic acidafter it is administered and C_(t) is the plasma concentration ofzoledronic acid at the time of interest, such as 24 hours. Forparenteral administration, the C_(max) can be about the C₀, or theconcentration right after injection of the entire amount of the druginto the body. Sustained plasma level factors can also be obtained forother times, such as 48 hours, by using the plasma concentration ofzoledronic acid for C_(t) in the equation above. For example, if themaximum plasma level of zoledronic acid after administration is 1000ng/mL and the plasma level of zoledronic acid at 24 hours is 1 ng/mL,the 24 hour sustained plasma level factor is 1.

In some embodiments, the disodium salt form of zoledronic acid providesan enhancement to bioavailability, as compared to the diacid form ofzoledronic acid, which adds to any enhancement to bioavailabilityprovided by any bioavailability-enhancing agents in the dosage form. Insome embodiments, the disodium salt form of zoledronic acid provides anenhancement to bioavailability, as compared to the diacid form ofzoledronic acid, which is greater than any enhancement tobioavailability provided by any bioavailability-enhancing agents in thedosage form. In some embodiments, the disodium salt form of zoledronicacid may be administered in a dosage form that is substantially free ofbioavailability-enhancing agents.

In some embodiments, a dosage form comprising a subject composition is asolid.

In some embodiments, a subject composition is used to treat aninflammatory condition.

In some embodiments, a subject composition is used to treat arthritis.

In some embodiments, a subject composition is used to treat complexregional pain syndrome.

In some embodiments, zoledronic acid is in a form that has an aqueoussolubility, meaning the solubility in water, greater than 1% (w/v),about 5% (w/v) to about 50% (w/v), about 5% (w/v) to about 20% (w/v),about 10% (w/v) to about 15% (w/v), or about 12% (w/v) to about 13%(w/v).

The disodium salt form of zoledronic acid can be more compressible thanthe diacid form of zoledronic acid. This can make it easier for a dosageform to have a desired hardness. It can also make it easier to increasethe drug load, so that a smaller tablet can be given for a given dosagestrength. In some embodiments, a solid dosage form of zoledronic acid,such as the diacid form of zoledronic acid or the disodium salt form ofzoledronic acid, can have a hardness of about 5 kPa to about 20 kPa orabout 5 kPa to about 14 kPa.

Zoledronic acid, and Compound 1 and/or Compound 2, may be combined witha pharmaceutical carrier selected on the basis of the chosen route ofadministration and standard pharmaceutical practice as described, forexample, in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2005, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety. Therelative proportions of active ingredient and carrier may be determined,for example, by the solubility and chemical nature of the compounds,chosen route of administration and standard pharmaceutical practice.

A subject composition may be administered by any means that may resultin the contact of the active agent(s) with the desired site or site(s)of action in the body of a patient. The compounds may be administered byany conventional means available for use in conjunction withpharmaceuticals, either as individual therapeutic agents or in acombination of therapeutic agents. For example, zoledronic acid, andCompound 1 and/or Compound 2, may be administered as the only activeagents in a pharmaceutical composition, or they can be used incombination with other therapeutically active ingredients.

A subject composition may be administered to a human patient in avariety of forms adapted to the chosen route of administration, e.g.,orally, rectally, or parenterally. Parenteral administration in thisrespect includes, but is not limited to, administration by the followingroutes: pulmonary, intrathecal, intraarticular, intravenous,intramuscular, subcutaneous, intraocular, intrasynovial, transepithelialincluding transdermal, sublingual and buccal; topically; nasalinhalation via insufflation; and rectal systemic.

The effective amount of a subject composition will vary depending onvarious factors known to the treating physicians, such as the severityof the condition to be treated, route of administration, formulation anddosage forms, physical characteristics of the bisphosphonate compoundused, and age, weight and response of the individual patients.

The amount of zoledronic acid in a subject composition may vary. Forexample, some liquid compositions may comprise about 0.0001% (w/v) toabout 50% (w/v), about 0.01% (w/v) to about 20% (w/v), about 0.01% toabout 10% (w/v), about 0.001% (w/v) to about 1% (w/v), about 0.1% (w/v)to about 0.5% (w/v), about 1% (w/v) to about 3% (w/v), about 3% (w/v) toabout 5% (w/v), about 5% (w/v) to about 7% (w/v), about 7% (w/v) toabout 10% (w/v), about 10% (w/v) to about 15% (w/v), about 15% (w/v) toabout 20% (w/v), about 20% (w/v) to about 30% (w/v), about 30% (w/v) toabout 40% (w/v), or about 40% (w/v) to about 50% (w/v) of zoledronicacid.

Some solid subject compositions may comprise at least about 5% (w/w), atleast about 10% (w/w), at least about 20% (w/w), at least about 50%(w/w), at least about 70% (w/w), at least about 80%, about 10% (w/w) toabout 30% (w/w), about 10% (w/w) to about 20% (w/w), about 20% (w/w) toabout 30% (w/w), about 30% (w/w) to about 50% (w/w), about 30% (w/w) toabout 40% (w/w), about 40% (w/w) to about 50% (w/w), about 50% (w/w) toabout 80% (w/w), about 50% (w/w) to about 60% (w/w), about 70% (w/w) toabout 75% (w/w), about 70% (w/w) to about 80% (w/w), or about 80% (w/w)to about 90% (w/w) of zoledronic acid.

Any suitable amount of zoledronic acid may be used. Some solid or liquidoral dosage forms, or units of oral dosage forms comprising a subjectcomposition (referred to collectively herein as “oral dosage form(s)”)may contain about 0.005 mg to about 20 mg, about 0.1 mg to about 10 mg,about 0.5 mg to about 10 mg, about 0.2 mg to about 5 mg, about 1 mg toabout 500 mg, about 1 mg to about 50 mg, about 10 mg to about 250 mg,about 100 mg to about 300 mg, about 20 mg to about 200 mg, about 20 mgto about 150 mg, about 30 mg to about 100 mg, about 1 mg to about 1,000mg, about 10 mg to about 50 mg, about 10 mg to about 300 mg, about 10 mgto about 150 mg, about 10 mg to about 100 mg, about 40 mg to about 150mg, about 10 mg to about 600 mg, about 40 mg to about 600 mg, about 40mg to about 2000 mg, about 40 mg to about 800 mg, about 25 mg to about800 mg, about 30 mg to about 800 mg, about 10 mg to about 500 mg, about50 mg to about 150 mg, about 50 mg, about 100 mg, about 50 mg to about500 mg, about 100 mg to about 2000 mg, about 300 mg to about 1500 mg,about 200 mg to about 1000 mg, about 100 mg to about 500 mg, or about150 mg of zoledronic acid, or any amount of zoledronic in a rangebounded by, or between, any of these values. In some embodiments, theoral dosage form is administered daily, weekly, monthly, every two orthree months, once a year, or twice a year.

In some embodiments, an oral dosage form may contain about 10 mg/m² toabout 20 mg/m², about 15 mg/m² to about 20 mg/m², about 18 mg/m², about80 mg/m² to about 150 mg/m², about 90 mg/m² to about 150 mg/m², about100 mg/m² to about 150 mg/m² of zoledronic acid, or any amount ofzoledronic in a range bounded by, or between, any of these values. Alldosage ranges or amounts expressed in mg/m² are based upon the bodysurface area of the mammal.

In some embodiments the daily oral dose of zoledronic acid is about0.005 mg to about 20 mg, about 0.1 mg to about 10 ma, about 0.5 mg toabout 10 mg, about 0.2 mg to about 5 mg, or any amount of zoledronicacid in a range bounded by, or between, any of these values. In someembodiments, the daily oral dose of zoledronic acid is less than about35 mg/m², less than about 30 mg/m², less than about 25 mg/m², about 1mg/m² to about 35 mg/m², about 1 mg/m² to about 30 mg/m², about 1.5mg/m² to about 25 mg/m², about 1.8 mg/m² to about 20 mg/m², about 10mg/m² to about 20 mg/m², about 10 mg/m² to about 30 mg/m², about 15mg/m² to about 20 mg/m², about 18 mg/m², or any amount of zoledronicacid in a range bounded by, or between, any of these values.

In some embodiments the weekly oral dose of zoledronic acid is about 1mg to about 1000 mg, about 1 mg to about 500 mg, about 10 mg to about250 mg, about 100 mg to about 300 mg, about 10 mg to about 100 mg, about10 mg to about 150 mg, about 10 mg to about 100 mg, about 10 mg to about300 mg, about 20 mg to about 150 mg, or about 30 mg to about 100 mg. Insome embodiments, the weekly oral dose of zoledronic acid is less thanabout 250 mg/m², less than about 200 mg/m², less than about 175 mg/m²,about 6 mg/m² to about 250 mg/m², about 10 mg/m² to about 210 mg/m²,about 10 mg/m² to about 170 mg/m², about 4 mg/m² to about 140 mg/m²,about 100 mg/m² to about 140 mg/m², about 126 mg/m², or any amount ofzoledronic acid in a range bounded by, or between, any of these values.The weekly oral dose may be given as a single dose, given once duringthe week, or may be given in 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 individual doses duringthe week.

In some embodiments, the monthly dose of zoledronic acid, or the amountof zoledronic acid that is administered over a period of a month, isabout 5000 mg or less, about 4000 mg or less, about 3000 mg or less,about 2000 mg or less, about 1000 mg or less, about 700 mg or less,about 600 mg or less, about 1 mg to about 4,000 mg, about 1 mg to about1,000 mg, about 10 mg to about 1000 mg, about 50 mg to about 1000 mg,about 10 mg to about 600 mg, about 40 mg to about 600 mg, about 50 mg toabout 600 mg, or about 100 mg to about 600 mg, about 40 mg to about 2000mg, about 40 mg to about 800 mg, about 50 mg to about 800 mg, or about100 mg to about 800 mg, about 40 mg to about 1000 mg, about 50 mg toabout 1000 mg, or about 100 mg to about 1000 mg, or any monthly dose ina range bounded by, or between, any of these values. In someembodiments, the monthly oral dose of zoledronic acid is less than about1000 mg/m², less than about 800 mg/m², less than about 600 mg/m², about10 mg/m² to about 1000 mg/m², about 50 mg/m² to about 800 mg/m², about70 mg/m² to about 700 mg/m², about 100 mg/m² to about 700 mg/m², about100 mg/m² to about 600 mg/m², about 50 mg/m² to about 200 mg/m², about300 mg/m² to about 600 mg/m², about 450 mg/m² to about 600 mg/m², about300 mg/m² to about 1000 mg/m², about 400 mg/m² to about 1000 mg/m²,about 500 mg/m² to about 1000 mg/m², about 400 mg/m² to about 700 mg/m²,about 500 mg/m² to about 600 mg/m², about 540 mg/m², or any amount ofzoledronic acid in a range bounded by, or between, any of these values.A monthly dose may be given as a single dose, or as two or moreindividual doses administered during the month. In some embodiments, themonthly dose is administered in 2 or 3 weekly doses. In someembodiments, the monthly dose is administered in 4 or 5 weekly doses. Insome embodiments, the monthly dose is administered in 28 to 31 dailydoses. In some embodiments, the monthly dose is administered in 5 to 10individual doses during the month. The monthly dose may be administeredfor only 1 month, or may be repeatedly administered for 2 or moremonths.

A subject composition, may be administered in combination with about 0.1mg to about 10 mg of zoledronic acid, or a salt thereof, administeredparenterally, such as intravenously. In some embodiments, about 50 mg,about 100 mg, or about 150 mg of the disodium salt of zoledronic acid isadministered orally in combination with 1 mg parenteral, such asintravenous, zoledronic acid. In some embodiments the parenteral dose ofzoledronic acid is about 0.25 mg to about 25 mg, about 0.25 mg to about10 mg, or about 0.5 mg to about 7.5 mg.

With respect to oral administration of a subject composition, for thetreatment of pain associated with inflammation, arthritis, CRPS, or anyother condition recited herein, it may helpful if the mammal or humanbeing to which a subject composition is administered does not eat foodor drink beverage, (other than any water required to swallow the oraldosage form) for at least about 1 hour, at least about 2 hours, at leastabout 4 hours, at least about 6 hours, at least about 8 hours, at leastabout 10 hours, or at least about 12 hours before the subjectcomposition is administered. It may also be helpful if the mammal orhuman being to which the subject composition is administered does noteat food or drink beverage for at least about 30 minutes, at least about1 hour, at least about 2 hours, at least about 3 hours, or at leastabout 4 hours after the subject composition is administered. In someembodiments, a human being to which the subject composition isadministered avoids lying down, or remains upright or sits upright, forat least about 30 minutes or about 1 hour after receiving a dosage formcontaining the subject composition. Avoiding food or beverage before orafter oral administration of a subject composition can improve thebioavailability of the zoledronic acid.

The oral bioavailability of zoledronic acid in a dosage form can vary.Some dosage forms may have ingredients added to enhance thebioavailability. However, bioavailability enhancement is not necessaryfor an oral dosage form to be effective. In some embodiments, the dosageform is substantially free of bioavailability-enhancing agents. In someembodiments, an oral dosage form may have an oral bioavailability ofzoledronic acid of about 0.01% to about 10%, about 0.1% to about 7%,about 0.1% to about 5%, etc. Without ingredients or other methods toenhance bioavailability, zoledronic acid typically has a lowbioavailability in an oral dosage form. In some embodiments, the oralbioavailability of zoledronic acid is unenhanced or substantiallyunenhanced. For example, the oral bioavailability of zoledronic acid canbe about 0.01% to about 5%, about 0.01% to about 4%, about 0.1% to about3%, about 0.1% to about 2%, about 0.2% to about 2%, about 0.2% to about1.5%, about 0.3% to about 1.5%, about 0.3% to about 1%, about 0.1% toabout 0.5%, about 0.3% to about 0.5%, about 0.5% to about 1%, about 0.6%to about 0.7%, about 0.7% to about 0.8%, about 0.8% to about 0.9%, about0.9%, about 1% to about 1.1%, about 1.1% to about 1.2%, about 1.2% toabout 1.3%, about 1.3% to about 1.4%, about 1.4% to about 1.5%, about1.5% to about 1.6%, about 1.6% to about 1.8%, about 1.8% to about 2%,about 1% to about 3%, about 1% to about 2%, about 1.5% to about 3%,about 2% to about 3%, or about 1.8% to about 2.3%.

Some embodiments include an oral dosage form comprising a subjectcomposition, wherein the oral bioavailability of zoledronic acid in thedosage form is from about 0.01% to about 10%.

In some embodiments, the oral bioavailability of zoledronic acid in adosage form is about 0.01% to about 5%.

In some embodiments, the oral bioavailability of zoledronic acid in adosage form is about 0.1% to about 7%.

In some embodiments, the oral bioavailability of zoledronic acid in adosage form is about 0.01% to about 5%.

In some embodiments, the oral bioavailability of zoledronic acid in adosage form is about 0.01% to about 3%.

In some embodiments, the oral bioavailability of zoledronic acid in adosage form is about 0.1% to about 2%.

In some embodiments, the oral bioavailability of zoledronic acid in adosage form is about 0.2% to about 2%.

In some embodiments, the oral bioavailability of zoledronic acid in adosage form is about 0.2% to about 1.5%.

In some embodiments, the oral bioavailability of zoledronic acid in adosage form is about 0.3% to about 1.5%.

In some embodiments, the oral bioavailability of zoledronic acid in adosage form is about 0.3% to about 1.0%.

In some embodiments, an oral dosage form comprises about 10 mg to about300 mg of zoledronic acid, and is administered daily for about 2 toabout 15 consecutive days. This regimen may be repeated once monthly,once every two months, once every three months, once every four months,once every five months, once every six months, once yearly, or onceevery two years.

In some embodiments, an oral dosage form comprises about 10 mg to about150 mg or about 10 mg to about 100 mg of zoledronic acid, and isadministered daily for about 2 to about 15 consecutive days. Thisregimen may be repeated once monthly, once every two months, once everythree months, once every four months, once every five months, once everysix months, once yearly, or once every two years.

In some embodiments, an oral dosage form comprises about 10 mg to about150 mg or about 10 mg to about 100 mg of zoledronic acid, and isadministered daily for about 5 to about 10 consecutive days. Thisregimen may be repeated once monthly, once every two months, once everythree months, once every four months, once every five months, once everysix months, once yearly, or once every two years.

In some embodiments, an oral dosage form comprises about 40 mg to about150 mg of zoledronic acid, and is administered daily for about 5 toabout 10 consecutive days. This regimen may be repeated once monthly,once every two months, once every three months, once every four months,once every five months, once every six months, once yearly, or onceevery two years.

In some embodiments, the oral zoledronic acid may be administered as onedose of about 100 mg to about 2000 mg. In some embodiments, the oralzoledronic acid may be administered as one dose of about 300 mg to about1500 mg. In some embodiments, the oral zoledronic acid may beadministered as one dose of about 200 mg to about 1000 mg. The dose ofzoledronic acid may be administered in a single or divided dose.

Zoledronic acid in combination with Compound 1 and/or Compound 2 may beformulated for oral administration, for example, with an inert diluentor with an edible carrier, or it may be enclosed in hard or soft shellgelatin capsules, compressed into tablets, or incorporated directly withthe food of the diet. For oral therapeutic administration, the compoundsmay be incorporated with an excipient and used in the form of ingestibletablets, buccal tablets, coated tablets, troches, capsules, elixirs,dispersions, suspensions, solutions, syrups, wafers, patches, and thelike.

Tablets, troches, pills, capsules and the like may also contain one ormore of the following: a binder such as gum tragacanth, acacia, cornstarch or gelatin; an excipient, such as dicalcium phosphate; adisintegrating agent such as corn starch, potato starch, alginic acidand the like; a lubricant such as magnesium stearate; a sweetening agentsuch as sucrose, lactose or saccharin; or a flavoring agent such aspeppermint, oil of wintergreen or cherry flavoring. When the unit dosageform is a capsule, it may contain, in addition to materials of the abovetype, a liquid carrier. Various other materials may be present ascoating, for instance, tablets, pills, or capsules may be coated withshellac, sugar or both. A syrup or elixir may contain the activecompound, sucrose as a sweetening agent, methyl and propylparabens aspreservatives, a dye and flavoring, such as cherry or orange flavor. Itmay be desirable for material in a dosage form or pharmaceuticalcomposition to be pharmaceutically pure and substantially non toxic inthe amounts employed.

Some compositions or dosage forms may be a liquid, or may comprise asolid phase dispersed in a liquid.

Zoledronic acid may be formulated for parental or intraperitonealadministration. Solutions of the active compounds as free acids orpharmacologically acceptable salts can be prepared in water suitablymixed with a surfactant, such as hydroxypropylcellulose. A dispersioncan also have an oil dispersed within, or dispersed in, glycerol, liquidpolyethylene glycols, and mixtures thereof. Under ordinary conditions ofstorage and use, these preparations may contain a preservative toprevent the growth of microorganisms.

In some embodiments, an oral dosage form may comprise a silicifiedmicrocrystalline cellulose such as Prosolv. For example, about 20%(wt/wt) to about 70% (wt/wt), about 10% (wt/wt) to about 20% (wt/wt),about 20% (wt/wt) to about 40% (wt/wt), about 25% (wt/wt) to about 30%(wt/wt), about 40% (wt/wt) to about 50% (wt/wt), or about 45% (wt/wt) toabout 50% (wt/wt) silicified microcrystalline cellulose may be presentin an oral dosage form or a unit of an oral dosage form.

In some embodiments, an oral dosage form may comprise a crosslinkedpolyvinylpyrrolidone such as crospovidone. For example, about 1% (wt/wt)to about 10% (wt/wt), about 1% (wt/wt) to about 5% (wt/wt), or about 1%(wt/wt) to about 3% (wt/wt) crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone may bepresent in an oral dosage form or a unit of an oral dosage form.

In some embodiments, an oral dosage form may comprise a fumed silicasuch as Aerosil. For example, about 0.1% (wt/wt) to about 10% (wt/wt),about 0.1% (wt/wt) to about 1% (wt/wt), or about 0.4% (wt/wt) to about0.6% (wt/wt) fumed silica may be present in an oral dosage form or aunit of an oral dosage form.

In some embodiments, an oral dosage form may comprise magnesiumstearate. For example, about 0.1% (wt/wt) to about 10% (wt/wt), about0.1% (wt/wt) to about 1% (wt/wt), or about 0.4% (wt/wt) to about 0.6%(wt/wt) magnesium stearate may be present in an oral dosage form or aunit of an oral dosage form.

An oral dosage form comprising zoledronic acid or another bisphosphonatemay be included in a pharmaceutical product comprising more than oneunit of the oral dosage form.

A pharmaceutical product containing oral dosage forms for daily use cancontain 28, 29, 30, or 31 units of the oral dosage form for a monthlysupply. An approximately 6 week daily supply can contain 40 to 45 unitsof the oral dosage form. An approximately 3 month daily supply cancontain 85 to 95 units of the oral dosage form. An approximatelysix-month daily supply can contain 170 to 200 units of the oral dosageform. An approximately one year daily supply can contain 350 to 380units of the oral dosage form.

A pharmaceutical product containing oral dosage forms for weekly use cancontain 4 or 5 units of the oral dosage form for a monthly supply. Anapproximately 2 month weekly supply can contain 8 or 9 units of the oraldosage form. An approximately 6 week weekly supply can contain about 6units of the oral dosage form. An approximately 3 month weekly supplycan contain 12, 13 or 14 units of the oral dosage form. An approximatelysix-month weekly supply can contain 22 to 30 units of the oral dosageform. An approximately one year weekly supply can contain 45 to 60 unitsof the oral dosage form.

A pharmaceutical product may accommodate other dosing regimes. Forexample, a pharmaceutical product may comprise 5 to 10 units of the oraldosage form, wherein each unit of the oral dosage form contains about 40mg to about 150 mg of zoledronic acid. Some pharmaceutical products maycomprise 1 to 10 units of the oral dosage form, wherein the productcontains about 200 mg to about 2000 mg of zoledronic acid. For such aproduct, each unit of the oral dosage form may be taken daily for 1 to10 days or 5 to 10 days during a month, such as at the beginning of amonth.

Some oral dosage forms comprising zoledronic acid or a salt thereof mayhave enteric coatings or film coatings.

A subject composition may be prepared by adding Compound 1 and/orCompound 2 to zoledronic acid in the desired amount. While there may bemany ways to prepare Compound 1 and Compound 2, a useful method ofpreparing these compounds is provided in Example 1 below. Additionally,in some methods of preparing the disodium salt or the diacid form ofzoledronic acid, Compound 1 and/or Compound 2 may be formed as sideproducts. If appropriate, some part of Compound 1 and/or Compound 2naturally present in a zoledronic acid product may be removed to obtaina desired amount of Compound 1 and/or Compound 2.

There are a number of ways that some part of Compound 1 and/or Compound2 may be removed from a zoledronic acid product. For example, HPLC,preparative TLC, crystallization, sublimation, or zone purification maybe employed. Solvents that may be useful in HPLC, TLC, orcrystallization, may include, but are not limited to, water or organicsolvents, such as hexanes, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate,acetone, acetic acid, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, ethanol, methanol,isopropyl alcohol, chloroform, diethyl ether, toluene,dimethylformamide, benzene, etc. Gradients, or two solvent systems maybe employed as well. For example, an HPLC separation may begin byelution with water, after some time eluting with water, an organicsolvent, such as acetonitrile, methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate,acetone, acetic acid, methyl acetate, or an other solvent couldgradually be added to the water, or may replace the water entirely.Similarly, crystallization or recrystallization may employ a singlesolvent, or a combination of solvents. For example, zoledronic acid or asalt thereof, such as a disodium salt, might be recrystallized fromwater, ethanol, methanol, diethyl ether, methyl acetate, acetic acid,etc., or a combination of these solvents or others. In some embodiments,zoledronic acid or a salt thereof, such as a disodium salt, may bedissolved in one solvent, such as water or acetic acid, and crystallizedby a second solvent or solvent system, such as hexane, diethyl ether,chloroform, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, acetic acid,ethanol, methanol, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, adisodium salt of zoledronic acid is dissolved in water, and thencrystallized by adding hexane. In some embodiments, a disodium salt ofzoledronic acid is dissolved in water, and then crystallized by addingdiethyl ether. In some embodiments, a disodium salt of zoledronic acidis dissolved in water, and then crystallized by adding chloroform. Insome embodiments, a disodium salt of zoledronic acid is dissolved inwater, and then crystallized by adding dichloromethane. In someembodiments, a disodium salt of zoledronic acid is dissolved in water,and then crystallized by adding ethyl acetate. In some embodiments, adisodium salt of zoledronic acid is dissolved in water, and thencrystallized by adding methyl acetate. In some embodiments, a disodiumsalt of zoledronic acid is dissolved in water, and then crystallized byadding acetic acid. In some embodiments, a disodium salt of zoledronicacid is dissolved in water, and then crystallized by adding ethanol. Insome embodiments, a disodium salt of zoledronic acid is dissolved inwater, and then crystallized by adding methanol. For embodimentsemploying water and a second solvent, the ratio of water to the secondsolvent (water:second solvent) may be about 1:100 to about 100:1, about1:10 to about 1:5, about 1:5 to about 1:4, about 1:4 to about 1:3, about1:3 to about 1:2, about 1:2 to about 1:1, about 1:1 to about 2:1, about2:1 to about 3:1, about 3:1 to about 4:1, about 4:1 to about 5:1, orabout 1:1 to about 10:1.

In some embodiments, a combination of two methods recited in theparagraph above may be employed, such as HPLC or TLC andcrystallization. In some embodiments, a method may be repeated, such asHPLC, preparative TLC, crystallization, sublimation, or zonepurification. In some embodiments, a purification method recited in theparagraph above may be performed twice. In some embodiments, apurification method recited in the paragraph above may be performedthree or four times.

EXAMPLE 1

1,3-Bis(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)-1H-imidazol-3-ium chloride (9) Methylchloroacetate (2; 29.8 mL, 338.6 mmol, 2.0 eq) was added drop-wise to1-(trimethylsilyl)-1H-imidazole (8; 25.0 mL, 169.3 mmol). The mixturewas heated at 60° C. for 24 hours. The mixture was cooled to roomtemperature, washed with Et₂O (3×500 mL) and dried in vacuo yielding 9(41.97 g, 168.8 mmol, 99.7%) as a white solid.

1,3-Bis(carboxymethyl)1H-imidazol-3-ium chloride (10) To1,3-bis(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)-1H-imidazol-3-ium chloride (9; 41.00 g,164.88 mmol, 1 eq.) was added 37% aq. HCl (30.03 mL, 362.74 mmol, 2.2eq.). The mixture was stirred under reflux for 0.5 hour. The mixture wasconcentrated and the remaining solid was washed with acetone (2×200 mL)and Et₂O (3×200 mL). Drying in in vacuo gave 10 (31.89 g, 144.55 mmol,87.7%) as a white solid.

Compound 1: Compound 10 is reacted with an equimolar amount ofphosphorous acid, followed by an equimolar amount of phosphoroustrichloride, and an excess of water to form Compound 1, which isprecipitated from ethanol.

Compound 2: 1,3-Bis(carboxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-3-ium chloride (10, 2.00g, 9 mmol, 1.0 eq) and H₃PO₃ (7.37 g, 90 mmol, 10 eq) were dissolved intoluene (10 mL) and heated to 70° C. The reaction mixture was stirred atthis temperature for 20 min before PCl₃ (16 mL, 180 mmol, 20 eq) wasadded within 30 min. The reaction mixture was then heated to 95° C. andstirred at this temperature for 2 h. Then, aq. HCl (30 mL, 37% HCl and 5mL H₂O) was added. The reaction mixture was heated to 100° C. andstirred at this temperature for 7 h, for 2 d stirred at room temperatureand then filtered. The filtrate was cooled in an ice bath and addedwithin 45 min to absolute EtOH (90 mL). The resulting turbid solutionwas stirred for 1 h at room temperature before the solid was filteredoff. The filter cake (46-1) was isolated and analyzed by 2D-NMRspectroscopy and mass spectrometry (m/z=477). The filtrate wasconcentrated in vacuo to give residue 46-2. Five hundred mg of thisresidue were treated with aq. NaOH (150 mg in 3.5 mL H₂O) and to thiswas added EtOH (7 mL). After standing overnight the liquid was decantedand the resulting solid (46-M4) was analyzed NMR and mass spectrometry(m/z=477).

The following embodiments are contemplated:

-   -   Embodiment 1. A pharmaceutical composition comprising:

-   -    in an amount that is less than 0.1% w/w, and greater than 0%        w/w, based upon the total weight of Compound A, Compound B, and        Compound C; or

-   -    in an amount that is less than 0.1% w/w, and greater than 0%        w/w, based upon the total weight of Compound A, Compound B, and        Compound C;        -   wherein each A is independently an acidic functional group.    -   Embodiment 2. A pharmaceutical composition comprising:

-   -   wherein each A is independently an acidic functional group.    -   Embodiment 3. The composition of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein each        A is CO₂H.    -   Embodiment 4. The composition of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein each        A is SO₃H.    -   Embodiment 5. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 1 or        2, wherein

-   -    is present in an amount that is less than 0.05% w/w, and        greater than 0% w/w, based upon the total weight of Compound A,        Compound B, and Compound C.    -   Embodiment 6. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 1, 2,        3, 4, or 5, wherein

-   -    is present in an amount that is less than 0.05% w/w, and        greater than 0% w/w, based upon the total weight of Compound A,        Compound B, and Compound C.    -   Embodiment 7. A pharmaceutical composition comprising:    -   zoledronic acid; and

-   -    in an amount that is less than 0.1% w/w, and greater than 0%        w/w, based upon the total weight of zoledronic acid, Compound 1,        and Compound 2; or

-   -    in an amount that is less than 0.1% w/w, and greater than 0%        w/w, based upon the total weight of zoledronic acid, Compound 1,        and Compound 2.    -   Embodiment 8. A pharmaceutical composition comprising:    -   zoledronic acid,

-   -   Embodiment 9. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 7 or        8, wherein

-   -    is present in an amount that is less than 0.08% w/w, and        greater than 0% w/w, based upon the total weight of zoledronic        acid, Compound 1, and Compound 2.    -   Embodiment 10. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 7,        8, or 9, wherein

-   -    is present in an amount that is less than 0.08% w/w, and        greater than 0% w/w, based upon the total weight of zoledronic        acid, Compound 1, and Compound 2.    -   Embodiment 11. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 7,        8, 9, or 10, wherein

-   -    is present in an amount that is less than about 0.05%, and        greater than 0% w/w, based upon the total weight of zoledronic        acid, Compound 1, and Compound 2.    -   Embodiment 12. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 11,        wherein

-   -    is present in an amount that is less than about 0.02%, and        greater than 0% w/w, based upon the total weight of zoledronic        acid, Compound 1, and Compound 2.    -   Embodiment 13. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 7,        8, 9, 10, 11, or 12, wherein

-   -    is present in an amount that is less than about 0.05% or about        0.02%, and greater than 0% w/w, based upon the total weight of        zoledronic acid, Compound 1, and Compound 2.    -   Embodiment 14. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 1,        2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, or 13, wherein the        zoledronic acid is present in a salt form.    -   Embodiment 15. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 14,        wherein the zoledronic acid is present in a sodium salt form.    -   Embodiment 16. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 15,        wherein the zoledronic acid is present in a disodium salt form.    -   Embodiment 17. A dosage form comprising the pharmaceutical        composition of embodiment 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,        13, 14, 15, or 16.    -   Embodiment 18. The dosage form of embodiment 17, wherein the        dosage form is an oral dosage form.    -   Embodiment 19. A method of treating a disease or condition        related to bone, cancer, or pain, comprising administering a        dosage form of embodiment 17 or 18 to a mammal in need thereof.    -   Embodiment 20. A method of relieving inflammatory pain        comprising administering an oral dosage form of embodiment 18 to        a mammal in need thereof, wherein the mammal receives a total        monthly dose of zoledronic acid that is about 800 mg/m² or less        based upon the body surface area of the mammal.    -   Embodiment 21. The method of embodiment 20, wherein the mammal        is a human being that receives a total monthly dose of        zoledronic acid that is about 30 mg/m² to about 700 mg/m².    -   Embodiment 22. The method of embodiment 20 or 21, wherein the        total monthly dose is administered in 4 or 5 weekly doses.    -   Embodiment 23. The method of embodiment 20 or 21, wherein the        total monthly dose is administered in 28 to 31 daily doses.    -   Embodiment 24. The method of embodiment 20 or 21, wherein the        total monthly dose is administered in 5 to 10 individual doses        during the month.    -   Embodiment 25. The method of embodiment 20 or 21, wherein the        mammal is a human being that receives a total weekly dose of        zoledronic acid that is about 10 mg to about 300 mg.    -   Embodiment 26. The method of embodiment 25 wherein the total        weekly dose is a single dose, administered once a week.    -   Embodiment 27. The method of embodiment 25, wherein the total        weekly dose is administered in 2 to 7 individual doses during        the week.    -   Embodiment 28. The method of embodiment 20, wherein the mammal        is a human being that receives a total weekly dose of zoledronic        acid that is about 10 mg to about 150 mg.    -   Embodiment 29. The method of embodiment 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25,        26, 27, or 28, wherein the mammal experiences significant pain        relief more than 3 hours after administration of the dosage        form.    -   Embodiment 30. The method of embodiment 29, wherein the mammal        experiences significant pain relief during at least a part of a        time from about 3 hours to about 24 hours after administration        of the dosage form.    -   Embodiment 31. The method of embodiment 29, wherein the mammal        experiences significant pain relief during at least a part of a        time from about 3 hours to about 3 weeks after administration of        the dosage form.    -   Embodiment 32. A method of relieving inflammatory pain        comprising administering an oral dosage form of embodiment 18 to        a mammal in need thereof, wherein the oral dosage form contains        about 10 mg/m² to about 20 mg/m² of zoledronic acid based upon        the body surface area of the mammal.    -   Embodiment 33. The method of embodiment 32, wherein the oral        dosage form contains about 15 mg/m² to about 20 mg/m² of        zoledronic acid based upon the body surface area of the mammal.    -   Embodiment 34. A method of relieving inflammatory pain        comprising orally administering, by one or more dosage forms of        embodiment 18, to a mammal in need thereof, about 300 mg/m² to        about 600 mg/m² of zoledronic acid per month to the mammal,        based upon the body surface area of the mammal.    -   Embodiment 35. The method of embodiment 34, comprising orally        administering about 450 mg/m² to about 600 mg/m² of zoledronic        acid per month to the mammal, based upon the body surface area        of the mammal.    -   Embodiment 36. The method of embodiment 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25,        26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, or 35, wherein the mammal is        not suffering from bone metastasis.    -   Embodiment 37. The method of embodiment 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25,        26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, or 35, wherein the mammal is        not suffering from cancer.    -   Embodiment 38. The method of embodiment 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24,        25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, or 37, wherein        the zoledronic acid is administered as a salt of a dianion of        zoledronic acid.    -   Embodiment 39. A method of relieving pain associated with an        arthritis comprising administering an oral dosage form of        embodiment 18 to a human being in need thereof.    -   Embodiment 40. The method of embodiment 39, wherein the human        being receives a total monthly dose of zoledronic acid that is        about 40 mg to about 2000 mg.    -   Embodiment 41. The method of embodiment 40, wherein the total        monthly dose is administered in 4 or 5 weekly doses.    -   Embodiment 42. The method of embodiment 40, wherein the total        monthly dose is administered in 28 to 31 daily doses.    -   Embodiment 43. The method of embodiment 40, wherein the total        monthly dose is administered in 5 to 10 individual doses during        the month.    -   Embodiment 44. The method of embodiment 39 or 40, wherein the        human being receives a total weekly dose of zoledronic acid that        is about 100 mg to about 300 mg.    -   Embodiment 45. The method of embodiment 44, wherein the total        weekly dose is a single dose, administered once a week.    -   Embodiment 46. The method of embodiment 44, wherein the total        weekly dose is administered in 2 to 7 individual doses during        the week.    -   Embodiment 47. The method of embodiment 44, 45, or 46, wherein        the human being receives a total weekly dose of zoledronic acid        that is about 10 mg to about 100 mg.    -   Embodiment 48. The method of any of embodiment 19, 20, 21, 22,        23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38,        39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, or 47, wherein the human being        experiences significant pain relief more than 3 hours after        administration of the dosage form.    -   Embodiment 49. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the human        being experiences significant pain relief during at least a part        of a time from about 3 hours to about 24 hours after        administration of the dosage form.    -   Embodiment 50. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the human        being experiences significant pain relief during at least a part        of a time from about 3 hours to about 3 weeks after        administration of the dosage form.    -   Embodiment 51. The method or dosage form of embodiment 1, 2, 3,        4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20,        21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36,        37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, or 50,        wherein the dosage form contains about 10 mg/m² to about 20        mg/m² of zoledronic acid based upon the body surface area of the        human being.    -   Embodiment 52. The method of embodiment 51, wherein the dosage        form contains about 15 mg/m² to about 20 mg/m² of zoledronic        acid based upon the body surface area of the human being.    -   Embodiment 53. The method of embodiment 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24,        25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40,        41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, or 52, wherein about        50 mg/m² to about 200 mg/m² of zoledronic acid is orally        administered per month, based upon the body surface area of the        human being.    -   Embodiment 54. The method of embodiment 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24,        25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40,        41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, or 52, wherein the        dosage form contains about 80 mg/m² to about 150 mg/m² of        zoledronic acid based upon the body surface area of the human        being.    -   Embodiment 55. The method of embodiment 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24,        25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40,        41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, or 52, wherein about        300 mg/m² to about 1000 mg/m² of zoledronic acid is orally        administered per month, based upon the body surface area of the        human being.    -   Embodiment 56. A method of preparing a dosage form for use in        the treatment of a condition or disease related to bone, cancer,        or pain, comprising determining an amount of a secondary        compound in a composition comprising zoledronic acid or a salt        thereof;    -   wherein the secondary compound is:

-   -    or a salt thereof.    -   Embodiment 57. A method of preparing a dosage form for use in        the treatment of a condition or disease related to bone, cancer,        or pain, comprising removing a secondary compound a composition        comprising zoledronic acid or a salt thereof;    -   wherein an amount of the secondary compound is determined before        removing the secondary compound from the composition comprising        zoledronic acid or a salt thereof;    -   wherein the secondary compound is:

-   -    or a salt thereof.    -   Embodiment 58. The method of embodiment 55 or 56, wherein the        amount of the secondary compound is determined to be greater        than 0.1%.    -   Embodiment 59. The method of embodiment 55 or 56, wherein the        amount of the secondary compound is determined to be greater        than 0.08%.    -   Embodiment 60. A dosage form for use in the treatment of a        condition or disease related to bone, cancer, or pain, wherein        the dosage form is prepared by the method of embodiment 55, 56,        57, 58, or 59.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities ofingredients, properties such as molecular weight, reaction conditions,and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understoodin all instances as indicating both the exact values as shown and asbeing modified by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to thecontrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification andattached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon thedesired properties sought to be obtained. At the very least, and not asan attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents tothe scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least beconstrued in light of the number of reported significant digits and byapplying ordinary rounding techniques.

The terms “a,” “an,” “the” and similar referents used in the context ofdescribing the invention (especially in the context of the followingclaims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural,unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context.All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable orderunless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted bycontext. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g.,“such as”) provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate theinvention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of any claim. Nolanguage in the specification should be construed as indicating anynon-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments disclosed herein arenot to be construed as limitations. Each group member may be referred toand claimed individually or in any combination with other members of thegroup or other elements found herein. It is anticipated that one or moremembers of a group may be included in, or deleted from, a group forreasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion ordeletion occurs, the specification is deemed to contain the group asmodified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groupsused in the appended claims.

Certain embodiments are described herein, including the best mode knownto the inventors for carrying out the invention. Of course, variationson these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventorexpects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, andthe inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise thanspecifically described herein. Accordingly, the claims include allmodifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in theclaims as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of theabove-described elements in all possible variations thereof iscontemplated unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearlycontradicted by context.

In closing, it is to be understood that the embodiments disclosed hereinare illustrative of the principles of the claims. Other modificationsthat may be employed are within the scope of the claims. Thus, by way ofexample, but not of limitation, alternative embodiments may be utilizedin accordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, the claims are notlimited to embodiments precisely as shown and described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of treating knee pain comprising orallyadministering a dosage form to a mammal in need thereof, wherein thedosage form comprises:

in an amount that is less than 0.1% w/w, and greater than 0% w/w; or

in an amount that is less than 0.1% w/w, and greater than 0% w/w;wherein any amount in % w/w is based upon the total weight of CompoundA, Compound B, and Compound C; wherein each A is independently an acidicfunctional group; wherein, if present, the bioavailability of zoledronicacid in the dosage form is from about 1.1% to about 4%.
 2. A method oftreating knee pain comprising orally administering a dosage form to ahuman being suffering from knee pain, wherein the dosage form comprises:a) zoledronic acid; or b) one of the following: 1) zoledronic acid and

 in an amount that is less than 0.1% w/w and greater than 0% w/w; 2)zoledronic acid and

 in an amount that is less than 0.1% w/w and greater than 0% w/w; or 3)zoledronic acid and a combination of Compound 1 in an amount that isless than 0.1% w/w and greater than 0% w/w, and Compound 2 in an amountthat is less than 0.1% w/w and greater than 0% w/w; wherein the dosageform is free of therapeutically active agents that are not zoledronicacid, Compound 1, or Compound 2; wherein any amount in % w/w is basedupon the total weight of zoledronic acid, Compound 1, and Compound 2;and wherein the bioavailability of zoledronic acid in the dosage form isfrom about 1.1% to about 4%.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein thedosage form is administered in an amount and frequency that results inan AUC of zoledronic acid, over a four week period, that is about 100ng·h/mL to about 2000 ng·h/mL.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein thedosage form is administered in an amount that results in an AUC ofzoledronic acid, over a twenty-four hour period, that is about 20ng·h/mL to about 500 ng·h/mL.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein thedosage form is administered in an amount such that a monthly dose ofzoledronic acid is about 1 mg to about 600 mg.
 6. The method of claim 2,wherein the dosage form is administered in an amount such that a monthlydose of zoledronic acid is about 10 mg to about 600 mg.
 7. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the dosage form is administered in an amount such thata monthly dose of zoledronic acid is about 20 mg to about 500 mg.
 8. Themethod of claim 2, wherein the dosage form is administered in an amountsuch that a monthly dose of zoledronic acid is about 50 mg to about 300mg.
 9. The method of claim 2, wherein the dosage form is administered inan amount such that a monthly dose of zoledronic acid is about 200 mg toabout 300 mg.
 10. The method of claim 2, wherein the dosage form isadministered once a day.
 11. The method of claim 2, wherein the dosageform is administered 1 to 5 times a month.
 12. The method of claim 2,wherein the dosage form is administered weekly.
 13. The method of claim2, wherein the bioavailability of zoledronic acid in the dosage form isfrom about 1.3% to about 4%.
 14. The method of claim 2, wherein thebioavailability of zoledronic acid in the dosage form is from about 1.5%to about 4%.
 15. The method of claim 2, wherein the dosage form isorally administered to the human being after at least one hour offasting.
 16. The method of claim 2, wherein the dosage form is solid.17. A pharmaceutical dosage form comprising: a) zoledronic acid; or b)one of the following: 1) zoledronic acid and

 in an amount that is less than 0.1% w/w and greater than 0% w/w; 2)zoledronic acid and

 in an amount that is less than 0.1% w/w and greater than 0% w/w; or 3)zoledronic acid and a combination of Compound 1 in an amount that isless than 0.1% w/w and greater than 0% w/w, and Compound 2 in an amountthat is less than 0.1% w/w and greater than 0% w/w; wherein the dosageform is free of therapeutically active agents that are not zoledronicacid, Compound 1, or Compound 2; wherein any amount in % w/w is basedupon the total weight of zoledronic acid, Compound 1, and Compound 2;and wherein the bioavailability of zoledronic acid in the dosage form isfrom about 1.1% to about 4% in a human being.
 18. The dosage form ofclaim 17, comprising about 1 mg to about 600 mg of zoledronic acid. 19.The dosage form of claim 17, comprising about 10 mg to about 300 mg ofzoledronic acid.
 20. The dosage form of claim 17, comprising about 20 mgto about 50 mg of zoledronic acid.
 21. The dosage form of claim 17,comprising about 50 mg to about 100 mg of zoledronic acid.
 22. Thedosage form of claim 17, comprising about 100 mg to about 200 mg ofzoledronic acid.
 23. The dosage form of claim 17, wherein the dosageform is solid.
 24. The dosage form of claim 17, wherein the dosage formis orally administered.
 25. The dosage form of claim 17, wherein atleast 10% of the weight of the dosage form is zoledronic acid.
 26. Thedosage form of claim 17, wherein the dosage form is suitable foradministration to a human being.
 27. The dosage form of claim 17,wherein the bioavailability of zoledronic acid in the dosage form isfrom about 1.3% to about 4% in a human being.
 28. The dosage form ofclaim 17, wherein the bioavailability of zoledronic acid in the dosageform is from about 1.5% to about 4% in a human being.
 29. The dosageform of claim 17, wherein the dosage form is a tablet.
 30. The dosageform of claim 17, wherein the dosage form is a capsule.